Weather and Climate Overview

Weather vs. Climate

  • Weather

    • ___________ behavior of atmosphere, varying at a specific time.

    • Small geographic area and can change rapidly.

    • Studied in ___________; meteorologists are specialists in this field.

  • Climate

    • _____________ behavior of atmosphere observed over 100+ years.

    • Large geographic area and changes very slowly.

Types of Climate

  • Polar (90°-60° latitude)

    • Characteristics: ______ summers, cold year-round, typically dry.

  • Temperate (60°-30° latitude)

    • Characteristics: True seasons, _______ climate patterns, moderate precipitation.

  • Tropical (30° - equator)

    • Characteristics: No winter, ______ year-round, high temperatures, ________, and humidity.

Factors Affecting Weather & Climate

  1. The Sun

    • Provides warmth and _________ to the atmosphere and oceans.

    • Creates ________ zones and drives weather patterns.

  2. The Water Cycle

    • Continuous _________ of water on Earth.

    • Main processes include __________, transpiration, __________, and precipitation.

  3. The Atmosphere

    • Mixture of gases surrounding Earth, divided into five layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere).

    • Atmospheric pressure and ____________ influence weather patterns.

  4. The Ocean

    • __________ currents can influence land temperatures, affecting weather patterns.

    • Cold _________ cool the land, warm currents warm the land.

The Water Cycle

  • Key Parts of the Cycle

    • Evaporation: Water transforms from liquid to gas.

    • Transpiration: Water evaporating from plant leaves.

    • _____________: Water vapor cools and forms clouds.

    • Precipitation: Water returns to the surface as rain, snow, etc.

    • _____________: Water gathers in bodies of water after falling.

Atmospheric Layers

  • Troposphere: Layer where weather occurs; contains the most water vapor and clouds.

  • Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer; temperature increases with altitude.

  • ____________: Protects Earth from meteoroids.

  • Thermosphere: Very thin air with high temperatures.

  • Exosphere: Outermost layer, where atmospheric pressure is minimal.

Air Pressure

  • Defined as the weight of air above a certain point; measured with a barometer.

  • Pressure Systems:

    • ________ Pressure: Clear, fair weather.

    • ______ Pressure: Associated with cloudy and stormy weather.

Winds and Fronts

  • Winds form due to differences in air pressure, moving from high to low pressure.

  • Types of Fronts:

    • Cold Fronts: Move quickly; can cause severe weather.

    • ________ Fronts: Move slowly; bring continuous precipitation.

    • Occluded Fronts: Cool & warm air masses meet.

    • _________ Fronts: No movement; can cause prolonged weather conditions.

Relative Humidity & Dew Point

  • Relative Humidity: Measure of _________ in the air compared to the potential maximum it can hold, expressed as a percentage.

  • Dew Point: The temperature at which air is _________ with moisture.

  • If the dew point is above________, water vapor condenses into liquid (dew).

  • If below freezing, condensation occurs as frost.

Storms and Severe Weather

  • Thunderstorms: Require ____________ clouds; can produce heavy rain, hail, tornadoes, and strong winds.

  • Tornadoes: Destructive, __________ columns of air; rated by wind speed.

  • Hurricanes: Form over warm water, characterized by spiraling thunderstorms and low pressure.

  • Safety Tips:

    • Stay indoors during thunderstorms.

    • Seek ___________ in a sturdy building during tornadoes.

    • Prepare for _________ during hurricanes.

Lightning and Thunder

  • Lightning: Electric _________ from clouds to ground or between clouds; produces a shock wave (thunder).

  • Safety Tips for Lightning:

    • Stay ________ and away from conductive materials.

    • If hair stands on end, drop to the ground to minimize contact.

Conclusion

Understanding weather and climate is essential for predicting natural phenomena that affect human life and the environment. Each component plays a crucial role in the intricate balance of Earth's systems.